News

School meals for all students by 2030

Published

2 years ago

October 11, 2023

editor

The government is planning to provide school meals to all students by 2030, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

The Minister, addressing a gathering in Mullaitivu said the assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the government of France will be sought to strengthen the school meal programme.

He said at present 1.1 million students receive a mid-day meal. The country has a student population of 4.2 million.

The economic crisis led to education authorities halting school meal programmes and cutting down meal portions and families skipping meals and reducing portions. Sri Lanka’s food insecurity and child malnutrition levels continue to remain at a concerning level.

The Ministry plans to encourage school attendance by promoting school meal programmes island-wide.

On Tuesday, the Government of Japan handed over a grant to Sri Lanka under the United Nations World Food Programme. The Japanese government has provided 7270 metric tons of food items to Sri Lanka, especially red lentils which has benefited over 960,000 students, the President’s Media Division said.

(sundaytimes.lk)

News

Gary Anandasangaree appointed Public Safety Minister of Canada

Published

52 seconds ago

May 14, 2025

editor

Sri Lankan-born Gary Anandasangaree has been sworn in as Canada’s new Minister of Public Safety under PM Mark Carney’s cabinet.

A former Minister of Justice and Crown–Indigenous Relations, Anandasangaree will now oversee national security, emergency preparedness, and border protection.

“As I step into this new role, I am grateful to Prime Minister Mark Carney for his trust. I am ready to work with my Cabinet and Caucus colleagues, our partner organizations, and all orders of government to unite, secure, protect, and build Canada,” he has Tweeted.

As I step into this new role, I am grateful to Prime Minister Mark Carney for his trust.

I am ready to work with my Cabinet and Caucus colleagues, our partner organizations, and all orders of government to unite, secure, protect, and build Canada.
— Gary Anandasangaree (@gary_srp) May 13, 2025

News

Court grants leave to proceed with petition against MP Archuna

Published

10 minutes ago

May 14, 2025

editor

The Court of Appeal has scheduled June 26 as the date to consider the petition seeking the revocation of MP Ramanathan Archuna’s parliamentary seat.

The petition was taken up today (May 14) before a bench comprising Justices Mayadunne Koraya and Mahen Gopallawa.

The court ordered that the petition be called again on June 26 for confirmation.
The petition was filed by social activist Oshala Herath, requesting legal intervention regarding the MP’s parliamentary position.

News

Train services operate as usual from today

Published

16 minutes ago

May 14, 2025

editor

Starting today (May 14), train services will operate as usual, according to the Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union of Sri Lanka Railways.

Due to a shortage of train drivers and their leave requests, about 23 train services were canceled over the past 02 days, affecting key routes like the Main, Coastal, Puttalam, and Kelani Valley lines.

The Railway Drivers Association claims that the cancellation of trains is primarily due to the government and the administration’s failure to address the long-standing shortage of railway drivers.